Anaplastic Astrocytoma

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

ImportantIt is possible that the main title of the report Anaplastic Astrocytoma is not the name you expected.

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Anaplastic astrocytoma is a rare malignant brain tumor. Astrocytomas are tumors that develop from certain star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. Astrocytes and similar cells form tissue that surrounds and protects other nerve cells found within the brain and spinal cord. Collectively, these cells are known as glial cells and the tissue they form is known as glial tissue. Tumors that arise from glial tissue, including astrocytomas, are collectively referred to as gliomas. The symptoms of anaplastic astrocytomas vary depending upon the specific location and size of the tumor. The specific cause of this tumor is unknown.

Astrocytomas are classified according to a grading system developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Astrocytomas come in four grades based upon how fast the cells are reproducing and that likelihood that they will spread (infiltrate) nearby tissue. Grades I or II astrocytomas are nonmalignant and may be referred to as low-grade. Grades III and IV astrocytomas are malignant and may be referred to as high-grade astrocytomas. Anaplastic astrocytomas are grade III astrocytomas. Grade IV astrocytomas are known as glioblastoma multiforme. Lower grade astrocytomas can change into higher grade astrocytomas over time.

Supporting Organizations

American Brain Tumor Association

8550 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 550

Chicago, IL 60631

USA

Tel: (773)577-8750

Fax: (773)577-8738

Tel: (800)886-2282

Email: info@abta.org

Website: http://www.abta.org

American Cancer Society, Inc.

250 Williams NW St

Ste 6000

Atlanta, GA 30303

USA

Tel: (404)320-3333

Tel: (800)227-2345

Website: http://www.cancer.org

American Childhood Cancer Organization

10920 Connecticut Ave

Suite A

Kensington, MD 20895

Tel: (301)962-3520

Fax: (301)962-3521

Tel: (800)366-2223

Email: staff@acco.org

Website: http://www.acco.org

Brain Tumor Foundation for Children, Inc.

6065 Roswell Road Suite 505

Atlanta, GA 30328-4015

USA

Tel: (404)252-4107

Fax: (404)252-4108

Email: info@braintumorkids.org

Website: http://www.braintumorkids.org

Cancer Support Community

1050 17th St NW Suite 500

Washington, DC 20036

Tel: (202)659-9709

Fax: (202)974-7999

Tel: (888)793-9355

Website: http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/

Cancer.Net

American Society of Clinical Oncology

2318 Mill Road Suite 800

Alexandria, VA 22314

Tel: (571)483-1780

Fax: (571)366-9537

Tel: (888)651-3038

Email: contactus@cancer.net

Website: http://www.cancer.net/

Childhood Cancer Canada Foundation

21 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 801

Toronto

Ontario, M4T 1L9

Canada

Tel: 4164896440

Fax: 4164899812

Tel: 8003631062

Email: info@childhoodcancer.ca

Website: http://www.childhoodcancer.ca

Children's Brain Tumor Foundation

274 Madison Avenue, Suite 1004

New York, NY 10016

United States

Tel: (212)448-1595

Fax: (212)448-1022

Tel: (866)228-4673

Email: info@cbtf.org

Website: http://www.cbtf.org

Friends of Cancer Research

1800 M Street NW

Suite 1050 South

Washington, DC 22202

Tel: (202)944-6700

Email: info@focr.org

Website: http://www.focr.org

Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center

McLean Hospital

115 Mill Street

Belmont, MA 2178

Tel: (617)855-2400

Fax: (617)855-3199

Tel: (800)272-4622

Email: hbtrc@mclean.harvard.edu

Website: http://www.brainbank.mclean.org

Livestrong Foundation

2201 E. Sixth Street

Austin, TX 78702

Tel: (512)236-8820

Fax: (512)236-8482

Tel: (877)236-8820

Email: media@livestrong.org

Website: http://www.livestrong.org

NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

P.O. Box 5801

Bethesda, MD 20824

Tel: (301)496-5751

Fax: (301)402-2186

Tel: (800)352-9424

Website: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

National Brain Tumor Society

55 Chapel Street

Suite 200

Newton, MA 02458

Tel: (617)924-9997

Fax: (617)924-9998

Tel: (800) 770-8287

Email: info@braintumor.org

Website: http://www.braintumor.org

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

302 Ridgefield Court

Asheville, NC 28806

Tel: (828)665-6891

Fax: (828)665-6894

Tel: (800)253-6530

Email: pbtfus@pbtfus.org

Website: http://www.pbtfus.org

Rare Cancer Alliance

1649 North Pacana Way

Green Valley, AZ 85614

USA

Website: http://www.rare-cancer.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). For a full-text version of this report, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

Last Updated: 1/28/2014Copyright 2014 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.